Filling an armature space of an actuator

Abstract

A method for filling an actuator in a gearbox fills the actuator only when the gearbox is in a passive state by virtue of fluid being introduced into an armature space of the actuator by way of axial movements of an armature rod when the actuator has been fluidically connected to a fluid-filled fluid space of the gearbox.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for filling an actuator ( 1 ) in a vehicle gearbox, comprising:
 filling the actuator ( 1 ) when the gearbox is in a passive state by introducing fluid into an armature space ( 6 ) of the actuator ( 1 ) by axial movements of an armature rod ( 8 ) when the actuator ( 1 ) is fluidically connected to a fluid-filled fluid space of the gearbox. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator ( 1 ) comprises a ventilation gap ( 15 ), and air escapes from the actuator ( 1 ) by the axial movements of the armature rod ( 8 ) when air is situated in the armature space ( 6 ). 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a spring ( 16 ) and/or a pressure equalization move the armature rod ( 8 ) during the axial movements of the armature rod ( 8 ). 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling of the actuator ( 1 ) begins when a temperature of the fluid in the fluid space is within a predetermined temperature range. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling of the actuator ( 1 ) begins when the vehicle is tested on a test stand and/or when the vehicle is serviced in a workshop. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling of the actuator ( 1 ) begins when the gearbox is in a park mode and/or in an idle mode. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling of the actuator ( 1 ) begins before the gearbox is delivered to an end customer. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, before the filling of the actuator ( 1 ), checking whether a person is seated on a driver's seat of the vehicle. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a diagnostic function to identify anomalies in the operation of the gearbox during gearshifts, wherein the filling of the actuator ( 1 ) comprises filling of the actuator ( 1 ) after the diagnostic function identifies the anomalies. 
     
     
       10. An actuator for installation in a gearbox, wherein:
 the actuator is configured to implement the method of  claim 1 ; 
 the actuator comprises a ventilation gap; 
 air is flowable from the armature space ( 6 ) through the ventilation gap; and 
 the armature rod of the actuator is configured to draw the fluid into the armature space by way of the axial movements. 
 
     
     
       11. A gearbox for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a fluid space; 
 at least one actuator comprising a ventilation gap, air flowable from the armature space ( 6 ) through the ventilation gap, the armature rod of the actuator configured to draw the fluid into the armature space by way of the axial movements, 
 wherein the actuator and the fluid space are fluidically connected when the actuator is filled via the method of  claim 1 , and 
 wherein the fluidic connection is selectively closeable.